A life-sized cardboard policeman, placed in a shop to deter potential shoplifters, was stolen from police in Humberside, UK.
The ironic theft was revealed by the Hull Daily Mail today, after their freedom of information request to police returned a list of items stolen from the police themselves.
"Thieves even stole a life-size cardboard police officers used in a shop as a deterrent for shoplifters.
, the cardboard bobby was taken by a man and a woman, who became abusive to staff after buying an item from the shop," the paper reported."While the shop assistants were distracted by serving other customers, the pair picked up the heavy-duty cardboard model and fled the store."
Several local UK police forces introduced cardboard police officers in recent years to remind would-be troublemakers that there may be police nearby, or conducting work in the area.
Some areas abandoned the schemes shortly afterwards.
The Mail also reports a drop in recent crimes involving the police force itself. Among the other items stolen in recent years were police radios and bicycles.
"There were also more trivial items such as crumpets and trousers," the report notes.
Via Jeremy Vine